Effectiveness of Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen is just as effective as traditional Invisalign when it comes to moving teeth into proper alignment. That is because Invisalign Teen utilizes the same exact technology in order to correct orthodontic issues. While the same basic idea is the same, there are a few added features with Invisalign Teen.

Just like with traditional Invisalign, Invisalign Teen uses a system of clear plastic aligners in order to move the teeth. Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks at a time before being replaced with a new set of aligners. Each new set of aligners is designed to move your teeth one small step closer to your overall treatment goal.

The added features are actually an effort to improve the effectiveness of Invisalign by keeping the specific treatment needs of teenagers in mind. One of those added features is a Blue Dot Wear Indicator that fades when it is time for a new set of aligners. This indicator also lets our Invisalign dentist in San Pedro know whether the teen has been wearing their aligners for the minimum 22 hours a day or not. Invisalign Teen also includes eruption tabs that are built into the aligners to accommodate for the growth of second molars. The other added feature is that Invisalign Teen includes six replacement aligners in case your teen misplaces or loses their aligners.

What do Periodontists Do?

Since periodontal disease is more or less rampant in the United States, even patients who consider themselves orally healthy should get to know the qualifications of a periodontist, and the criteria for seeing one. Periodontists typically work on referral, but they also comanage certain kinds of care with general dentists.

Periodontists are trained in the soft connective tissues of the mouth. Basically, they know all about gums. They diagnose and treat gum disease, and perform procedures like scaling and root planing that shore up the mouth against further infection.

Dental implants are a popular form of reconstruction, and periodontists do a lot of these. Implants are also done by general dentists, but many of them prefer to outsource anything surgical to dentists with advanced training—periodontists.

Our periodontist in North Hollywood will start most appointments by taking a complete medical and dental history. X-rays may be taken to determine the advancement of your periodontal disease. Many patients have overdeveloped periodontal pockets—the space between teeth and gums—and periodontists may want to reduce these to avoid tooth loss. Periodontal pocket reduction is a form of oral surgery.

To learn more about periodontics or to schedule an appointment, contact our dentists in North Hollywood.

When Dental Implants are the Best Option

Dental implants, although seemingly new to dental offices, are actually a very well established, tested, and effective option for replacing teeth. As any dentist will tell you, saving natural teeth is always preferable. In fact, the more of the tooth that can be saved, the better. However, situations do arise where a tooth cannot be saved. In these situations, when are dental implants the best option?

When a tooth or teeth are lost, the ideal treatment is always dental implants. While they carry with them greater costs and more initial time commitment to get them installed, their long-term value is always well beyond the alternatives. Here is a quick look at those other options and why implants are better.

Bridges
Bridges are good options for replacing one or a few adjoining teeth. But they require anchoring with crowns on neighboring teeth, requiring significant work on those healthy teeth. Implants avoid this problem.

Traditional Dentures
While dentures have come a long way, they rely on suction to stay in place, which can result in slippage. Using dental implants to anchor them into place provides unparalleled support with a natural feel.

Both of these other alternatives also have one problem that is unavoidable: loss of bone density. Not having a tooth rooted in the jaw causes the jaw to reabsorb the bone. This causes cratering and an unnatural looking appearance after years and decades without teeth. Implants mimic natural teeth and keep the jaw from doing this.

To learn more about the best times to use them, contact our expert in dental implants in Pasadena. some, convenience outweighs cost while others the reverse is true. Contact our office to learn more.

How Invisalign Corrects the Teeth

Invisalign is a cutting-edge product aimed at consumers who want to straighten their teeth in style and relative secrecy. Also known as clear braces, Invisalign involves a set of clear plastic aligners that gradually shift the position of imperfect teeth while offering no visible evidence. Invisalign is meant to be worn comfortably and confidently by patients who want a retooled smile without the stigmas of regular braces.

Invisalign works using push technology, as opposed to the pull of braces. The program works in stages, with a new set of aligners every 2 weeks. Since each set of aligners is assigned a stage of movement, it follows that the one after it builds on the progress of that stage. This is why it is important to follow directions and use the product exactly as instructed. Aligners must be worn 20-22 hours per day, 7 days a week.

The number of trays assigned to you by your Invisalign dentist in Northridge depends on how much movement your teeth require. The more movement, the more trays she will prescribe.

Invisalign is a valuable corrective against teeth that are rotated, crowded, or gapped. It can also remedy bite issues like overbite (properly known as overjet) and crossbite.

Ask our cosmetic dentist in Northridge if Invisalign is right for you. 

How are Single Visit Onlays Made?

In an ideal world, dentists would have the ability to realize the need, design, create and place dental restorations all in just one visit. No second dental appointments, so second day of local anesthetic. Incredibly, that ability is reality. Our San Francisco cosmetic dentists offer this convenient process, which is done rather simply.

First, a 3-D image is taken of the mouth and put into a computer. Unique software is then used to design the restoration needed, be it crown, inlay, onlay or veneer. In this case, an onlay is designed to fit the tooth perfectly.

Second, a restoration is created using a unique milling machine that turns a digital image into one of physical space. From a generic shape, it creates a precisely cut onlay. The last step is to temper the onlay in a kiln similar to one for pottery.

This entire process creates a restoration that is no less durable, reliable or color-matched than any done at a central manufacturing plant. In fact, insurance will typically cover the cost of these onlays at the same ratio they would the old way.

To learn more about this incredible process and to get the efficient and low-hassle benefits of the latest technological development, contact our expert in single visit onlays in San Francisco.

How Invisalign Can Change You

For many orthodontic patients, treatment with Invisalign can be a life-changing experience. This is true from a physical perspective, as well as from a social one.

Physically speaking, Invisalign can be used to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues. It can be used to treat everything from gapped teeth to issues involving your bite. Instead of using metal brackets and wires to move your teeth, though, Invisalign uses a system of clear plastic aligners. The way it works is that you wear each set of aligners for two weeks before replacing them with a new set. Each new set is designed to incrementally move your teeth one step closer to the treatment goal. By the time you are done with treatment, your teeth will be in perfect alignment.

This physical change has social implications as well. Many patients start treatment feeling funny about smiling or laughing around their friends, as they are ashamed of the state of their teeth. Once treatment has finished, these same people develop a whole new level of confidence. In fact, this change happens to many people even during the treatment, especially as they start noticing results. This higher level of self-worth often translates into the development of a successful professional life as well.

If you would like to pursue orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, contact our Invisalign doctor in Beverly Hills to schedule a consultation.

How is a Tooth Extracted?

A tooth may need to be extracted for several different reasons. If the tooth has been damaged by decay or injury to the point that it can no longer be saved, then an extraction is necessary. Some patients need teeth extracted in order to create more room for orthodontic work. Many people have their wisdom teeth extracted, as it is common for them to be impacted or to crowd other teeth. If a tooth does need to be extracted, there are two ways it can be done.

The first way a tooth is extracted is through a simple extraction. This type of extraction is performed by our Los Angeles dentists when the tooth is clearly visible in the mouth. Localized anesthesia is administered before the extraction, with some patients requiring sedation. The tooth will first be loosened by a tool called an elevator. Once it is loosened, the tooth is pulled out using forceps.

The second way a tooth can be extracted is through a surgical extraction. This type of extraction is used when the tooth has not yet erupted or if it has broken off at the gumline. Localized anesthesia is used for this type of extraction as well, along with sedation. Some patients receive general anesthesia. The dentist will make an incision into the gum and may need to remove some of the surrounding bone. In some cases of surgical extraction, the tooth may need to be cut into pieces to be removed. Our expert in tooth extraction in Los Angeles will then use forceps to remove it.

Negative Aspects of Invisalign

Due to Invisalign being an invisible and removable orthodontic system, it has won many fans over the years. That being said, the possibility does exist for you to encounter some of the negative aspects of Invisalign.

While Invisalign is able to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues, it is unable to treat particularly severe malocclusions. It is also not able to treat cases involving severe teeth rotation, teeth that are severely tipped, or patients who have had bridgework done in the past. In some complex orthodontic cases, the aligners may need to utilize attachments or buttons to be fully effective. While the patient will still enjoy the removable aspect of the aligners, these attachments and buttons may be visible to outside observers.

Invisalign also requires strict patient compliance. In fact, patients must wear their aligners for at least 22 hours a day. Failure to meet this requirement will at a minimum slow the progress of your treatment. In some cases, failure to wear your aligners for an extended period can cause your teeth to shift back out of alignment. At this point, you may need to backtrack in your treatment or even start completely from scratch.

If you have any questions about whether Invisalign is the right treatment for your orthodontic needs, contact our Invisalign dentist in Beverly Hills for more information

Average Cost of Getting an Implant

Dental implants have a distinct advantage over other tooth replacement options for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most important reason is that the implant will last a lifetime. As a result, it is important to take these types of things into consideration when looking at the cost of dental implants. A look at just the initial cost will undoubtedly give you an incorrect assessment of the treatment.

As one point of comparison, consider dentures. Since our facial structure slowly changes over time and because lost teeth cause bone density changes to our jaw, dentures must be replaced from time to time. This is the only way to ensure that the dentures stay firmly in place, avoiding slippage and its attendant problems. As a result, while dentures might be cheaper in the short run, they may become more expensive in the long run. But implants then have additional benefits that go beyond cost. For example, dentures never truly mimic the feel of natural teeth. While patients might get used to eating with dentures, there is nothing quite like biting down on something and feeling the stimulation of the bone.

To learn more about their benefits and to find out what dental implants cost in Huntington Beach, schedule an appointment today.

Treatment for Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess is a collection of pus that occurs from an infection in the space between the tooth and gum. Having periodontal disease puts you at a higher risk of developing a periodontal abscess. Periodontal abscesses are usually painful, though some may not be. Without treatment, the infection that is causing the abscess will not go away on its own.

The treatment for a periodontal abscess is rather simple in nature. Our Los Angeles periodontists will first numb the area with a local anesthetic. The abscess will then be pierced, allowing the infection to drain. The next step usually involves cleaning the infected root surfaces to remove bacterial contamination. The area will then be flushed with saline or antibacterial solutions, sometimes both. The periodontist may give you antibiotics to help clear up the infection, and usually advises taking over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate pain and swelling. Patients usually heal from this procedure in a matter of a few days. If periodontal disease was responsible for you developing an abscess, it is important that you have that treated once you have recovered.

If you have developed a periodontal abscess, contact our expert in treatment of periodontal abscess in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation.